Engine and transaxle cleaning

[Fraser D]

What aluminum cleaning products is everyone using to clean up their donor engines and transaxles? The engine especially has areas where I can't get the crud out of the pores of the ally with just degreaser and a stiff brush.
I will be leaving the engine raw so is there any product to coat it with to help it look fresh?
The transaxle will be painted

[kabacj]

What aluminum cleaning products is everyone using to clean up their donor engines and transaxles? The engine especially has areas where I can't get the crud out of the pores of the ally with just degreaser and a stiff brush.
I will be leaving the engine raw so is there any product to coat it with to help it look fresh?
The transaxle will be painted

I like to use OIL EATER Cleaner Degreaser. High strength in a spray bottle with a stiff brush. Then hit it up with lacquer thinner and compressed air. That gets the aluminum clean down to the pores. Nothing that I know of to treat the block to keep it looking good.

John

[crash]

As I said on the other forum, Eagle 1 mag wheel cleaner. To protect it you can shoot it with a clear rattle can paint. It will change the color a bit depending upon how much you use, but it will stay the same color once dry and makes future cleanings easier. Can't use anything like the Eagle 1 on it after painting though. I have cleared gear boxes before, but never an engine.

[Fraser D]

Great feedback guys and thanks
I have a lead on some products that the show car guys use on their polished ally to keep it from oxidizing and will post once I get to the bottom of it.

[fastthings]

Alumi-Bright from Napa is a good strong version of the mag cleaner. And like Crash I use a shaky can clear for alot of the cleaned parts. Iv'e seen this last past 10 years.

[Fraser D]

Thanks Gene.
I will post the results this weekend.

[Fraser D]

Well it rained all weekend and as a result I was far from productive on the cleaning front.
Hoping for a little sunshine next weekend.